It is always a challenge to pick THE player for this category.  Every spring and summer, we come across players that either we had not seen play before or their performance was under-whelming when viewed in action with their respective high school team, but then “ball out” in a different setting.  These guys definitely fit the bill.

17U: Robert Guishard, Florida Pro – Florida Pro was arguably the top independent team in the country, let alone Florida, and the 6’7 Guishard was a key reason why.  A rising senior at Pembroke Pines Charter, Guishard is a bouncy run/jump athlete that impresses with his ability to control the paint at both ends of the floor.  He is an excellent shot blocker and a multi-effort rebounder whose second and third leaps are as quick and explosive as his first. Guishard has the length and quickness to be a versatile defender at the next level.  Offensively he has a good touch around the basket, basic but reliable post moves on either block, a nose for the ball coming off the offensive glass and a nice touch from the foul line.  Guishard runs the floor well, is a lob threat, and changes ends quickly in transition.

16U: “Skoot” Donald, Showtime Ballers – The 6’1 guard out of Tampa Catholic is a dangerous scorer.  He has excellent range, a quick release, and the ability to create space with some slick ball-handling.  Donald is also a competent driver and finisher at the basket, scoring on floaters and with an array of crafty finishes in traffic.  He is solid with the ball vs. pressure, keeps his teammates involved, and has a good feel for the game.  Donald is alert to get the ball ahead to teammates in transition as well as to open shooters when attacking the defense.  Defensively he moves his feet well, anticipates the passing lanes, and keeps his hands active in digging at the dribble.

15U: King McFadden, Nightrydas Elite – While we didn’t see the 6’2 McFadden play with the Nightrydas, he put up good stats in the 15U division of the EYBL.  Over the course of thirteen games, McFadden averaged just over twelve points a contest, shooting just a hair under 50% overall from the field.  He also snared 5.5 rebounds a contest, had a positive assist to turnover ratio and accounted for a little over two steals a contest.  We finally caught him with his Tocoi Creek high school team at the FABC Team Camp.  There, McFadden played with great composure and confidence.  He handled the ball well, made good decisions, and scored it when called upon.